Francesca(DVD, Blu Ray, CD) — Francesca(DVD, Blu Ray, CD)

Francesca is another modern attempt to try & recapture the mood, vibe, and atmosphere of the classic Italian Giallo- which where at their peak of both popularity & creativity in the late 60’s to 1970’s. The films an Argentina production from 2015, and I must say it’s one of the more satisfying new addition to the giallo genre I’ve seen. Here we have a deluxe DVD/ Blu Ray/ CD soundtrack release of the film on Unearthered Films.

The films plot tells of two rather run-down detectives who are trying to catch a serial killer, whose killing a selection of seemingly random & unconnected victims. To solve the crimes  they must connect together hints from Dante’s wrttings, and the disappearance 15 years ago of the young daughter of a local poet/dramatist.  The film blends together key traits of the giallo like: a gloved killer( red instead of the normal black), killer pov shots, dolls,  and over-exposed ‘n’ vibrate colour scheme. And a standard, though effective enough gallio soundtrack that moves from: the  Goblin-like, though to edgy/ creepy jazz like sound tracking, onto sinister retro electronics, . There’s also a really attention to the look & the quilty of the film, and really if you didn’t know you’d think it was a lost gallio from the mid 70’s, as they go the extra mile with the look of the clothes, cars, furnishing, film stock, etc.

I guess as gallio go this one focus in on the more atmospheric/eerier side of the genre- sure they are killings, but these are never overly complex or showy. What’s important here is the building-up to the killings, the stalking, and the snapshots of the killer’s lair, and the  creepy oddness that surrounds that location.  The plot it’s self is functionable & fairly standard, though there is a expected & quite surprising twist at the end. I think the thing that set’s Francesca apart from a lot of the modern gallio I’ve seen is that there is a good blend of the classic giallo traits, story, pace, and atmosphere. Too often the modern gallio films will become obsessed with the genres trait’s to such a point that they becomes both overloading & cliché, with most of the story line & pace forgotten in the meantime- thankfully Francesca has the right balance.

The Unearthed Films packaging is nicely done- as you get the three discs( DVD, Blu-ray, and soundtrack CD) in a fold-out DVD sized digitipak. Extras wise you get a twenty minute interview with the director/writer, deleted scenes,  and behind the scenes feature. plus a retro (yellow & blood red) four page inlay booklet.

So in conclusion if you’re a fan of the classic  & original gallio’s, then it’s certainly worth giving Francesca a look, as it’s one of the more authentic & balanced of the new breed of gallio I’ve seen thus far.